Stability in a chaotic world

Delta Truck/VIARENT KFT. can feel the disruptions in the supply chain and the spare part shortage resulting from this. Managing director Zsombor Páll: “Ordered vehicles arrive late or they aren’t delivered at all. Viarent Kft. is trying to solve this problem by offering alternative brands to customers, with the same technical characteristics. In the last two years demand rose for e-vehicles with a relatively long rage. At the moment 5% of our fleet of vehicles lighter than 3.5 tonnes is fully electric. Our goals include promoting short-term – less than 30 days – rental, adding the new Mercedes fleet to our portfolio, and volume growth in both Hungary and Slovakia.”

Telematics systems ensure the most economical vehicle operation based on a number of parameters

A rather gloomy outlook

Sándor Papp
head of sales
Emil Frey

Emil Frey’s experience is that companies prefer buying for cash. Unpredictable interest rate movement and rising costs deter customers from financing schemes. Those who still opt for one of these tend to choose the state-subsidised Széchenyi GO 2.5% scheme. Head of sales Sándor Papp: “Demand for vans and other light commercial vehicles has decreased a little, while on the supply side production capacity is limited. As for electric vehicles, demand could be bigger, but the lack of state subsidy and the necessary infrastructure discourage customers from buying.”

Gergely Lakatos
business development and
marketing manager
EuroFleet

EuroFleet’s opinion is that at times of economic instability the best solution is operative leasing. This is why the company is dynamically increasing its fleet size, as this way businesses don’t need to invest millions in vehicles, and they can use this money for development and other projects. Business development and marketing manager Gergely Lakatos: “Customer demand is growing for our ElectricFleet service, which can be combined with EuroFleet’s E-xtra service: for longer distances, customers can substitute their e-vehicles with diesel cars on an occasional basis.”

Companies have reworked the time spans for replacing their car fleets, they are thinking in the longer term

Plannability is more important than ever before

Eszter Harmat 
commercial director
LeasePlan

Global microchip shortage and supply chain problems still hinder the development of the new vehicle market. Plannability and flexibility have become more important than ever before when it comes to company cars. LeasePlan’s most popular schemes are those without long-term commitment – customers like flexible and instantly available solutions.

Commercial director Eszter Harmat: “Our FlexiPlan service provides continuous mobility, partners can rent vehicles for periods ranging from 1 month to 24 months, without committing themselves to fixed lease terms. LeasePlan also offers commercial vehicles and related services to partners.”

Special solutions and tailor-made services

Gyula Szabó
commercial director
Mercarius Flottakezelő

At Mercarius operative leasing has been the most popular service recently.

Commercial director Gyula Szabó: “In the current market situation we must plan vehicle purchases 18-24 months in advance. In parcel delivery demand is growing dynamically for electric vehicles in the cities. Since market conditions have changed, our customers don’t really want classic long-term rental schemes. Mercarius can satisfy their new type needs with flexible mobility solutions.”

Sándor Sallai
head of remarketing and fleet management
Porsche Lízing és
Szolgáltató

Porsche Lízing és Szolgáltató Kft. doesn’t only offer operative leasing, but also open- and closed-end financial leasing solutions. From these closed-end financial lease is the most popular.

Head of remarketing and fleet management Sándor Sallai: “This year we came out with a new mobility product, which can solve the problem of customers having to wait for their new car. We also launched a market-leader digital fleet management solution.”

Is e-car the solution?

András Kovács
brand manager
Volkswagen
Commercial Vehicles

Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles is also facing problems resulting from supply chain disruptions. Despite the war in Ukraine, the company only experiences short disruptions, but the reduced manufacturing capacity comes at a time when customer demand is on the rise.

Brand manager András Kovács: “There is steadily growing interest in plug-in hybrid and electric cars. The latter are still rather expensive, but environmentally conscious businesses are already buying them. For many of them the best choice is the newly launched, fully electric ID. Buzz or ID. Buzz Cargo vans.”

Growing e-car market

Gergely Fáczán
director of sales and marketing
Volvo Hungária

On account of disruptions in supply chains, vehicle purchases must be planned even 18-24 months in advance

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